Autumn Flowers: 4 Native Plants that Bloom in the Fall

Want to see these and other fall blooms in person? Attend our Flower Walk at Tall Pines this Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 4pm! We’ll walk around the beautiful Tall Pines State Preserve and learn about the various flowers that are blooming. We’ll also keep an eye out for the many bird and butterfly species that live there, so bring your binoculars! For information and to RSVP click here

The author Albert Camus once said, “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” But leaves aren’t the only plants providing color to the fall. Many flowers themselves also bloom during this cool season. On your next hike, look around and you may see these native flowers sprinkled across the landscape:

Jewelweed or Spotted Touch-Me-Not Impatiens capensis

Both common names of this plant come from the interesting traits of its leaves and seeds. When you put the translucent leaves of the plant under water, they appear jeweled — hence the name jewelweed. The name “spotted touch-me-not” comes from the tendency for the seeds to “explode.” When you touch a seed pod of this plant, the pod pops open! See a video of it here on YouTube: click here

Goldenrod Solidago

These beautiful plants are an important source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other insects. The sweet goldenrod, pictured here, is actually a member of the sunflower family. This species of goldenrod has been used medicinally by the Cherokee.

Asters

The name “Aster” comes from a Greek word meaning “star.” It was named as such because of the flowers’ distinct star shape. Many species are sources of food for various moth and butterfly species. Look for the familiar little white flower of the Bushy Aster, pictured left, while on walks in New Jersey.

Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis

If you’re lucky, you might spot this ruby red bloom. This plant can grow up to four feet tall. If you’re wandering around a streambank or swamp, keep an eye out because this flower prefers wet habitats.